Position detecting and correcting device for timepiece

Abstract

A timepiece includes a reference wheel and one or more target wheels to be detected and corrected to the correct or standard time. The target wheels each includes a number of binary codes angularly spaced from each other, and each having a number of digits radially spaced from each other. The reference wheel includes a number of orifices angularly and radially spaced from each other, for moving over the digits of the binary codes and for determining the positions of the wheels by moving the orifices of the reference wheel relative to the digits of the binary codes.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A timepiece comprising: 
 a first target wheel including a plurality of binary codes provided thereon, and angularly spaced from each other, said binary codes each including a plurality of digits radially spaced from each other,    a reference wheel including a detecting code having a plurality of orifices formed therein and angularly spaced from each other and radially spaced from each other, for moving over said digits of said binary codes of said first target wheel respectively, and    means for determining positions of said reference wheel and said first target wheel by moving said orifices of said reference wheel relative to said digits of said binary codes of said first target wheel.    
     
     
         2 . The timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein said determining means includes a light emitting device to generate a light through said orifices of said reference wheel and onto said digits of said binary codes.  
     
     
         3 . The timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein said digits of said binary codes include and represent “0” and “1” signals respectively, said first target wheel includes a plurality of apertures formed therein and at positions representing said “1” signals of said binary codes respectively.  
     
     
         4 . The timepiece according to  claim 3 , wherein said determining means includes a light receiving device to receive the light generated by said light emitting device and emitted through said orifices of said reference wheel and said apertures of said first target wheel.  
     
     
         5 . The timepiece according to  claim 1  further comprising means for driving said reference wheel.  
     
     
         6 . The timepiece according to  claim 1  further comprising means for driving said first target wheel.  
     
     
         7 . The timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein said reference wheel includes sixty binary codes each having six digits radially spaced from each other for representing sixty minutes of time.  
     
     
         8 . The timepiece according to  claim 1  further comprising means for locating said orifices of said reference wheel.  
     
     
         9 . The timepiece according to  claim 8 , wherein said locating means includes a starting code provided on said reference wheel to determine positions of said orifices of said reference wheel.  
     
     
         10 . The timepiece according to  claim 9 , wherein said starting code includes at least seven holes formed in said reference wheel.  
     
     
         11 . The timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein said reference wheel includes an opening formed therein, said timepiece further includes a second target wheel aligned in said opening of said reference wheel, said second target wheel includes a plurality of binary codes provided thereon, and angularly spaced from each other, said binary codes each includes a plurality of digits radially spaced from each other, said detecting code of said reference wheel includes a plurality of orifices formed therein and angularly spaced from each other and radially spaced from each other, for moving over said digits of said binary codes of said second target wheel respectively.